Portrait and biographical album of Gratiot county, Mich., Part 77

Author:
Publication date: 1884
Publisher: Chicago, Chapman brothers
Number of Pages: 856

USA > Michigan > Gratiot County > Portrait and biographical album of Gratiot county, Mich. > Part 77

Note: The text from this book was generated using artificial intelligence so there may be some errors. The full pages can be found on Archive.org (link on the Part 1 page).

Her people are mostly composed of enterprising men, and a few years more will make a great change in the topographical outlook of Washington. Their

749

GRATIOT COUNTY.

schools are well attended, and the rising generation will excel their ancestry in an educational way.

The gentlemen who have served with fidelity and honor as Supervisors are mentioned below, and some of them have no superiors as financiers in the county :

SUPERVISORS.

W. W. Comstock, 1856

James M. Foote,

1857

Joseph B. Smith, 1858-61

Napoleon B. Fraker, 1862

Edwin Clark, 1863-4

Alex. Pulfrey,

1865

Napoleon B. Fraker,

1866

Wm. Long,

1867-8

Edwin Clark,

1869

Solomon Wyman,

1870

Napoleon B. Fraker,

1871

Wm. Long,

1872-3

Napoleon B. Fraker,

1874

J. C. Heslin,

1875-7

WVm. Long,

1 878

J. C. Heslin,

1 879-80

B. A. Hicks,

ISSI

O. J. Sprague,

1882

Wm. Long,

1883

Wheeler Township.

HE last, with the exception of Ithaca, to be organized, was Wheeler Township. It is the northeastern town of Gratiot County, and the boundaries are as follows: On the north by Midland County, the east by Saginaw County, the south by Hamilton, and west by Bethany Township. It is numbered 12 north and 4 west, and rates fourth in quality and productive- ness of lands. The town is sparsely settled, but here, as elsewhere, are found some splendid farms and enterprising men.

The first comers in the frontier township were John Yager, Thomas Burgess, James B. Wheeler, George Cady, Hamilton and John Allen, all of whom came in 1859. They selected lands and returned to Jackson County. In the spring of 1860, accompan- ied by others, they came back and built several cabins, from which date Wheeler Township has a history.

The first house erected was built in December, 1859, on section 18, which was located by John

Yager. James Burgess, Barney Swope, George Arm- strong, Samuel Cooper, with their families, arrived the next spring. Daniel Milligan, Edson Packard and J. Stevens were also among the first settlers in the township and have aided largely in its development.

Wheeler Township derived its name from James Wheeler, the first Supervisor. Breckenridge, quite an important village, is located on sections 19 and 30, in the western part of the township, upon the line of the Saginaw Valley & St. Louis railroad, which traverses the entire township from east to west. Beaver Creek makes a detour through sec- tions 35 and 36. There are several sections belong- ing to non-residents, in the northeastern part of the town, which are unsettled.

The lumber interest has been the chief source of revenue until lately. The unsettled lands belong to the railroad companies and are reckoned of good quality.

Wheeler Township has been represented upon the County Board by the following

SUPERVISORS :

James B. Wheeler, 1862-3

Stephen Wood, 1864

Barney Swope, 1865-73

Milo A. Pomeroy, 1874

James B. Wheeler,

1875

Newell Smith, 1876-7

Milo A. Pomeroy, 1878-9

Newell Smith,

1880

Barney Swope, ISSI

Newell Smith,

1882-3

Newark Township.

EWARK Township was organized in 1855, and Jacob L. Beechler was the first Super- visor. Newark ranks second in grade as regards agriculture, although most of her lands are fertile and well adapted to the same. There were quite extensive growths of pine, as well as the usual complement of hard woods, in this township, but the valuable pine has entirely disap- peared.

Newark is bounded on the north by Arcada, on

750

GRATIOT COUNTY.

the east by North Star, on the south by Fulton, and the west by New Haven Township.

Pine Creek and its tributaries afford plenty of water during all seasons, and the farmers are prosperous in a high degree.

Nelson D). Johnson and family came in January, 1854, and settled on a part of section 36, which farm was afterward purchased by Leman A. John- son, who served many years as Supervisor. It is related that Nelson Johnson said that he had moved during his married life 110 times! The habit of pushing away from civilization was a mania with him, although he claimed that one more move would satisfy. The poor fellow died very suddenly with heart disease, while hunting, and his life's dream was never fully realized.

Ebenezer W. Kellogg and wife came to Newark in 1854, and settled on section 17. Ile was and ever has been an enterprising gentleman, and has done much to develop this township. From the date of his coming the town was rapidly settled, and farms were opened up on every hand.

Most of the lands were purchased under the "Graduation Act," the settlers experiencing the same hardships during the " starvation period " as was felt by the inhabitants of other townships, though in a more limited degree.

James Wood and family located on section 30, in January, 1854, and the first wedding in this town- ship was that of his daughter, Sarah, and Mr. John 11. Shaffer. ITiram Burgess, a pioneer Justice of the Peace, performed the ceremony.

Large quantities of maple sugar are manufactured in Newark, for which a ready sale is found at Detroit and elsewhere. Ebenezer W. Kellogg is the princi- pal manufacturer of this article.

For Newark Township, the following is a list of the

SUPERVISORS:

Jacob L. Beechler, 1856

Ebenezer W. Kellogg,

1857

A. J. Allen,

1 858-60

Benj. Crawford, 1861

Leman A. Johnson,

1862-9

Ebenezer W. Kellogg, 1870-I

Chester Howland, 1872

Ebenezer W. Kellogg,

1873-81

I. N. Cowdry, 1882

Ebenezer W. Kellogg,

1 883

Sumner Township.

HIS township was named in honor of Chas. Sumner. Its first vote, in 1856, was a

OM straight Republican ticket without a scratch. It is numbered 11 north and 4 west, and is bounded on the north by Seville Township, on the east by Arcada, on the south by New Ha- ven, and on the west by Montcalm County. The east, south and west parts of the township are well wa- tered by Pine River, which passes through the entire township in a semi-circle, making this one of the most desirable parts of the county for rearing stock. In 1863, a village plat was surveyed at the intersec- tion of the lines of section 6 and 7. to which was given the name of Elm Hall. The first settler in this town- ship was Rev. Daniel Strayer. He settled near where that village is now located. Soon after the platting of Elm Hall, another village was laid out four miles south, on sections 29 and 32, which was finally named " Estella," but had been called "Stovertown " and " Belltown.' Neither of them has accomplished much in a business way. Mr. George S. Bell was the first settler in that neighborhood, and from him the name "Belltown " was derived.

Barlow Worthing settled on section to. Hamilton Pritchard and Samuel Story came in 1854, and made settlements near each other. Michael McNamara and George and Isaac Gee settled on section 10, George S. Bell on section 31, I. B. Ward on section 20, Samuel Story on section 19, and Homer Town- send on section 11. Timothy Bardwell was also an early settler in this township.

A postoffice was established in 1857, upon the pe- tition of 25 citizens, although to get that number all the men, women and children in the township had to sign it. It is related that it was held for a week or two with only 24 names attached, awaiting the arrival of a new-comer to complete the list. Finally another heir made an appearance in one of the fami- lies, and a " christening" was hurriedly had that the "citizen " might sign the petition.

William Strayer took the contract for carrying the mails for 40 per cent. of the proceeds. His commis- sion amounted to 1012 cents per diem, and it re- quired two days to make one trip. B. Blanchard

GRATIOT COUNTY.

751

was Postmaster, but had very little mail to handle.

The first building erected at Elm Hall was a pine log store, built by Charles Merrill. The first school- house was built of logs, and was used for church pur- poses as well for many years. Miss Lydia Walker taught the first school. The first frame building was the Exchange Hotel, built in 1862 by George J Butcher.

The lumber trade of Sumner Township averages perhaps So,000,000 feet per year, besides the amount of cereals produced.

In 1854, there were only two acres of cleared land in the township; now there are thousands of fertile acres, from which immense harvests are annually reaped.

Instead of the 17 votes of 1855, there are now 400 enthusiastic men, most of whom have grown wealthy in consequence of their enterprise and zeal in the development of their broad acres, which rank second to none in Northern Michigan. Later, there is no doubt that this township will have a railroad, as the Marshall, Coldwater & Mackinaw road-bed is graded through the entire town.

Many things might be said about the pioneers in this township, but the biographical sketches of most of them appear elsewhere, to which the reader is re- ferred.

The following gentlemen have represented Sum- ner as

SUPERVISORS :

Barlow Worthing,

1856-7

David Ward,

I858

Isaac Gee,

1859

Joseph Rockafellow,

I 86o

Barlow Worthing,

George Stratton,

IS62-3

Barlow Worthing,

I S64

George Stratton,

I 865

Barlow Worthing,

I 86S

Wm. H. Pratt,

I 869-70

C. Cleverden,

1871-4

Ralph Quick,

I 875-6

H. R. Bentley,

1877

J. N. Wilson,

1878

I. B. Ward,

1879

Henry Weiss,

1880-3

Charles E. Gilmore, of Elm Hall, is the proprietor of the Corner Local, a neat and newsy journal that enjoys a splendid circulation. For a paper published

in so small a village as Elm Hall, we know of none more ably edited, or meriting the patronage of the public in a higher degree, than the Corner Local.

Lafayette Township.

AFAYETTE is bounded on the north by Wheeler Township, on the east by Saginaw County, the south by Hamilton, and the west by Emerson Township. It is well watered by Beaver and Whortleberry Creeks and the north branch of Bad River. It is numbered II north and i west, and is considered a fair agricultn- ral township. Among the earliest settlers-men whose toil has developed the land-are Messrs. Wm. D. H. Hammil, who located on section 36 in 1855 ; E. W. Mead on section 35, " Elder " Fay on sec- tion 27, Samuel Wheeler on section 18, Theodore Deveraux on section 19, and E. H. Burgin, David Thomas, Jeff England and L. H. Randall on lands in adjacent sections.

€

Its organization was effected in 1856, with E. W. Mead representing it as Supervisor.

There is room in Lafayette for hundreds more of good, industrious men, and lands can be purchased at a fair valuation.

Game abounds in the woods, and good authority states that in 1882 Dr. Gulick killed 11 bears, besides other game, within its boundaries. When taken into consideration that this is within nine miles of the county seat, and in a country settled nearly 30 years, the story is surprising.

Some of the pioneers were single men, and the story is related that one of them had built a cabin, but, finding it rather lonesome without the society of woman to help while away the long evenings, came to the conclusion that he would marry. One of his neighbors had a rosy-cheeked daughter that our Adonis had worshiped in secret for some time, but never had the courage to speak to her upon the sub- ject. In fact, he was not even on speaking acquaint- ance, although a near neighbor. Matters at last resolved themselves into such shape that he felt as if he must have her or die in the attempt. Going to a neighboring justice of the peace, he told him that he had "taken a notion to get married " and that he

Jabez Hawkins,

1866-7

752

GRATIOT COUNTY.

= =

might hold himself in readiness to perform the cere- mony at an early date.

Happening to mention before leaving that he had said nothing to the girl about this affair in which he was so deeply interested, the justice suggested that he had better first speak to the girl to ascertain her feelings upon the subject. William had never thought of a refusal, and that idea just entered his mind.

" How would you get around her, 'Squire ?" asked Will.

"Oh, that is the easiest thing in the world," quoth the justice. " Just buy her a few presents, and step in some nice afternoon and have a pleasant chat ; everything will come around all right. In the mean- time, I will be getting ready and will perform the ceremony at any desired time."

The suggestion struck William with great force, and he lost no time in going to town and purchasing a cheap calico dress, and some other inexpensive trink- ets. Ilaving purchased what seemed to him enough to delight the eyes of any female on earth, he started for her father's cabin, feeling very much like the milkmaid who carried the pail on her head. He imagined him- self the head of a family and the father of five or more children, together with all other luxuries that a married life is expected to produce; nor was his rev- erie interrupted until he stopped at her door. Every- thing seemed propitious. The old man had gone hunting, and the mother and young children were visiting a neighbor. On a rustic bench near the door sat the object of his affections, engaged so busily in sewing that she failed to notice his approach. Stealth- ily creeping up on tip-toe, he tossed the bundle into her lap, and stepped back to await developments.

"The girl looked up in great astonishment, but recog- nizing her neighbor, asked him what he meant by such actions. Poor William was so confused that he could scarcely speak, but finally managed to ejaculate," Bus- iness!" The girl, not yet catching his meaning, be- gan questioning him and soon learned that the dress was intended as her wedding garment, and that the 'Squire was "ready and a-waitin' to jine 'em." Not feeling in the mood just then for getting married, she declined his offer and handed back the calico, but the mortified youth would not accept it. He told her to " keep it as a reminder that William Jones had wasted his youthful affections upon her unworthy self." William afterward became a benedict, and

reared a family of children, thus realizing his early dream of domestic bliss.

Lafayette has had a greater number of Supervisors than any township in the county, the voters being de- termined to give every man a chance to fill an official position. This is right, and shows a true democratic spirit. Read the names and be convinced of its truth.

SUPERVISORS.

L. W. Mead, 1856

E. M. Munroe,

1857

Wm. Schadd,

1858

Wm. D. H. Hammil,

1859

Samuel T. Roe,

1860

A. Horwood,

1861

Jesse Willis, 1862

F. Avery, 1863

Samuel Wheeler, 1864-9

Charles C. Foote, 1870

J. N. Federspiel, 187 1

H. R. Wilcox,

1872-4

J. M. Becker,

1875

W. A. Nodding, ?

1876

J. M. Federspiel,

1877

Charles C. Foote, 1878

J. N. Federspiel, 1879

WVm. A. Moore, 1 880

K. P. Peet, 1881-2

Jas. H. McNall,

1883

Elba Township.

LBA is the southeastern township of this county, and is yet rather sparsely settled. Some heavily timbered lands lie within its limits, and the woodman's ax is yet ringing merrily out as the monarchs of the forest come crashing down like grass before the sharpened sickle.

'Two of the first settlers were William and Daniel Call, who still reside in the township.

The township of Elba was surveyed by R. Thomas in April, 1831. He left nine sections in the north- west corner of the town where the village of Ashley is now located that he did not survey. The follow- ing is copied from his field notes :

" The remainder of this town it was impossible to survey on account of the depth of the water on Ma- ple River bottoms, which are one and a half or per-

GRATIOT COUNTY.

753

haps two miles wide in running to the north between sections 29 and 30. We set the corner of 19, 20, 29 and 30 in three feet of water. We then attempted to run to the west. After proceeding 50 chains, we were obliged to return, and gave up all hopes of sur- veying the remainder, which is nothing more than a chain of alder and tamarack swamp. The marsh, which has been noted several times, runs in a north- east and southwest course, and about one and three- quarters of a mile from the west boundary, and runs up to the river ; consequently the whole of the west and northwest part of the town is under water. On the morning of the 27th inst., myself and one of the men shipped in a canoe, and proceeded in a north- west direction one and a half miles, and could see no dry land, and then took an east course, and in an hour or two we arrived at the meridian in safety, in the northeast corner of the town."

There is now many fine farms and some good school-houses in this section that he reported under water.

These Government surveyors endured many hard- ships in surveying this county. The township lines were run by R. Clark in 1831. May 13, that year, camping at the northwest corner of Pine River Town- ship, he made the following note: "This night but two men out of six able to do anything. One man, left back six miles, is unable even to ride. All have sore feet. To-morrow we lie still. We are only able to work three days in four, and then in extreme pain."

This township ranks fourth in improvements and less than that in wealth.

We mention here the several Supervisors of this township, most of whom are old residents and all now living, and are men of enterprise. The present Supervisor is one of the most influential young men in the township, and is well posted in the needs of his community.

SUPERVISORS.

Hanson Sinclair, 1856

R. G. Finch, 1857-8

C. Dodge,

1859-60

Wm. Call, 1861

Daniel Call, 1862-5

Ira J. Andrews, 1866-8

Wm. H. Morrison, 1 869

Hanson Sinclair, 1870

J. B. Kneeland,

1871-6

A. F. Rice, 1877-80

Edwin Meacham, 1881

A. F. Rice, 1882

Edwin Meacham,

1883

The southern and western portions of Elba is wa- tered by Maple River; the bottom lands are low, and quite a large portion of this township is not under good cultivation. There are some excellent farms, however, in this section, and the people are as thrifty and energetie as in other portions of the State. The Toledo, Ann Arbor & North Michigan railroad passes through Elba from southeast to northwest, which aids much in the development of the country, giving them a better market for productions of all kinds. The name of " Ashley" is given to the new station lo- cated on section 6, and this will undoubtedly become a good trading point.

A good story is told of a couple who wished to be married in this township at an early day. They were poor in purse, but rich in their affection for each other, as proved by the woman's perseverance. A justice was called upon to perform the marriage ceremony for the couple, who had walked a distance of ten miles that morning. The would-be bridegroom carried a bag upon his shoulder, which was left at the gate. He inquired the amount of ready cash necessary to liquidate the 'Squire's fee, and stated that they had no money, but if a trade could be made and the Jus- tice take his pay in " beeswax " it would afford them great pleasure. The price per pound was agreed upon, and the fellow brought in the bag, while the Justice hunted up his steelyards. Upon weighing, the wax was found a couple pounds short, and the 'Squire hesitated about proceeding with the ceremony. The man turned toward his intended bride and 'said, "Well, Hanner, we kin wait awhile, and I'll hunt up another bee-tree."

" Hanner " was not made of that kind of material, and she had walked ten miles to be married and was in no mood for fooling. Stepping up to the 'Squire and laying her hand on his shoulder, she said, "Now, 'Squire, jist go on with the performance, and marry us as fur as the beeswax will go. We kin come back next week and have the balance done when we bring the rest of the wax."

The 'Squire couldn't stand that kind of logic, and, having "felt the tender passion " himself, tied the knot and the newly married pair started through the woods full of hope and joy. It is not recorded wheth-

754

er they were successful in finding another " bee-tree," but the bill was paid in full at a later date.

Elba was organized in 1856. Hanson Sinclair was the first Supervisor, and to him is accredited the nam- ing of the township. It is numbered 9 north, and i west, and is bounded on the north by Hamilton Town- ship, on the east by Saginaw County, on the south by Clinton County and the west by Washington Town- ship.

Emerson Township.

)

( particular history is attached to Emerson, its settlement being made about the same time as those in North Star, Arcada and Pine River. The first child born was a son of Mr. and Mrs. Levi Haight, the event occurring in the spring of 1855. The first death was that of Mrs. Mary Reed, a daughter of David Thorpe.

The settlements were rapidly made in Emerson after 1855, Messrs. Isaiah Allen and five sons, John Knight, Alanson Bailey, Erastus Hunt and Melanc- thon Pettit, all coming in that year.

Mr. Phillip R. Allen thus relates the manner in which he ground his corn during the hard times of 1857. The nearest mill being on Fish Creek, 30 miles distant, and the roads almost impassable, it required nearly a week to make 'the trip, and then only a few bushels of grain could be carried. His plan was an original one, and served his purpose, al- though somewhat tedious. Taking'a maple log, two feet in diameter, he bored a number of holes in the end, then built a fire upon it, burning a concave hole ten inches deep, after which the burned part was nicely scraped off. The pestle was made of a long, smooth stone, to which was attached a lever four feet long, the stone fitting in a mortise in the center. Pouring in the corn, in small quantities, with two men at the lever, enough incal could be ground in a few hours to last them for two weeks. The "johnnycakes " made from the meal thus prepared were considered finer than can now be biked from our best meal ; but perhaps the exercise necessary to its manufacture contributed no little to the appetites of those who " by the sweat of their face earned their bread."

A part of the village plat of Ithaca embraces the southwestern corner of Emerson, and the Toledo Ann Arbor & North Michigan railroad passes through its limits.

Emerson also furnishes its share of "bear stories," five large bears being killed there during 1883, and, many others in previous years. The waters of Beaver Creek and its tributaries make it an excellent location for farmers who are engaged in stock-raising. Most of the lands in this township are cleared of the for- mer wealth of heavy timber, but the soil is found very productive, and the inhabitants are rapidly grow- ing wealthy.

Emerson is bounded on the north by Bethany, the east by Lafayette, the south by North Star, and the west by Arcada Townships. Its number is 11 north, 9 west.

Good schools abound, and her people are intelli- gent, moral and industrious.

The location of Emerson, so near the center of the county, together with other natural advantages, are sufficient to ensure it at no distant day a rank second to none in the county.

Emerson Township derived its name, by an acci- dental corruption, from William Imisson, an English- man who first settled within its limits.

The Supervisors from this town have always labored to promote its best interests, and their names are at- tached with much pleasure as an addendum to the history of this township. Melancthon Pettit, the first one, has long since been "gathered to his fathers," but his record will ever remain, according him a place in the front rank of Gratiot's pioneers.

SUPERVISORS.

Melancthon Pettit, 1855-6

Oscar A. Everden,

J857

Reuben Coffin, 1858

M. Pettit, 1859-60

Oscar A. Everden, 1861

Louis Hetzman,

1862-5

Lewis S. Brooke,

1866

Daniel F. Muscott,

1 867-8

Lewis S. Brooke,

1869

Louis Hetzman,

1870-I

I. N. Coleman,

I872-6

John M. Everden,

1877-8

Jeremiah Shaver,

1879

Jesse Pepple,

1880-I

John M. Everden, 1882

Jesse Pepple,

1883

GRATIOT COUNTY.

755

PIONEER

LIFE,

HOSE who are reared in the midst of luxury and rocked in the cradle of affluence, know comparatively nothing of the hardships and pleasures attendant upon pioneer life. The attractiveness of our beauti- ful farms and picturesque land- scapes, dotted here and there with neat and substantial resi- dences, present a pleasing picture in strong contrast with the hum- ble log cabin of 1854, whose walls sheltered a few articles of rude fur- niture, and the stumps in the door- yard were repositories for cross-cut saws, the beetle and the ax. Many of the children who were born be- neath these humble roofs, whose infantile cries were hushed by a tender mother's soft lullaby as she carefully rocked them to sleep in a cradle improvised from a basswood sugar-trough, are the men who now fill official positions, and conduct the business affairs of this county.

The log cabin yet remains ; silent and unpreten- tious it stands, reminding us of former days and associations. Who can look at one of these relics of

pioneer life and not call to mind the toil and priva- tions of early days? She whose willing hands and warm heart helped you fight life's battles, plied the busy needle, or prepared the frugal meal around the huge fireplace, whose crumbling remains are yet visi- ble, is perhaps sleeping the sleep of death, while another enjoys the fruits of her toil and care. Si- lently you gazed on the features of that wan little one in that old cabin as its spirit winged its flight, and now the bodies of them both are resting side by side in the City of the Dead. Such memories cluster about the old log cabin that you can hardly lay rude hands upon the decayed material, even to remove it. Every log and chink has a history, and could they speak, would relate a story worth listening to. But these relics must give place to the more substan- tial and modern improvements, and ere another decade has passed, scarcely a trace will remain of pioneer life.

Need help finding more records? Try our genealogical records directory which has more than 1 million sources to help you more easily locate the available records.

Portrait and biographical album of Gratiot county, Mich., Part 77

Author: Publication date: 1884 Publisher: Chicago, Chapman brothers Number of Pages: 856

Author:
Publication date: 1884
Publisher: Chicago, Chapman brothers
Number of Pages: 856